The Forever Friends

The Forever Friends
by LadiSwan

Summary: Evy's American penpal arrives in Egypt with her young daughter and younger brother. But as she sets foot on Egyptian soil, she becomes haunted by dreams of a past life, of a handsome prince, a young concubine, and the concubine's best friend. . .a beautiful girl named 'Anck-su-namun.' As an ancient evil arises once more, Anck-su-namun finds herself in a Place-in-Between, and while there, she also discovers a chance at redemption. . .if she can look past Ardeth Bey's Med-jai markings.

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Once they got back to the house, Evy immediately took charge. At her request, Garai gently placed Ardeth on the davenport where he had slept the night before. There was a twofold reason for this. First and foremost, it was downstairs, and second, it would be easier for them all to remain in the sitting room once Ardeth did regain consciousness. They would need someplace to plan, after all.

Hanif took the fourth attacker to the basement, Anatol trailing behind, after Evy pointed them in the right direction. At that point, Evy gently removed the still-sobbing Miranda from Jonathan's arms and told the little girl, "I know you're scared, 'Randa. . .but I need your help. We need to take care of Ardeth, and just as soon as we know where those bad men took your mummy, we'll go after her. Can you help me take care of Ardeth?"

The dark head nodded and Miranda whispered, "Uncle Jason helped those bad men, Mrs. Evy. He helped them take Mommy and hurt Ardeth." Evy couldn't help herself. She pulled the little girl in her arms once again, and felt the tiny body trembling. Miranda cried, "I know it's bad, but I hate Uncle Jason, Mrs. Evy. I hate him!" Evy tightened her grasp, closing her eyes at the anger and grief and fear in the little girl's voice.

"Yes, he did help those men, little Miranda. But you have my word, as a Med-jai, that we will find your mother," Garai said, kneeling beside them both. Miranda sniffled a little, pulling back to look at the man. Perhaps because she had been around two Med-jai during the last week, Miranda showed absolutely no fear of this man. And maybe she was just too frightened by what she had seen earlier. Garai continued, "Ardeth has told me much of you. When you complete the tasks which Mrs. O. . .which Mrs. Evy wants you to do, perhaps you would like to sit beside Ardeth? I think that will make him feel much better."

The little girl's eyes swung from the Med-jai to Evy questioningly and Evy said, "Absolutely, you may! I think Garai is quite right, I think having you there will make Ardeth feel much better." Because he's going to feel terribly guilty about being unable to rescue your mother in time. Evy continued briskly, wiping away Miranda's tears with her thumbs, "Now. Enough of this 'Mrs. Evy.' From now on, you are to call me 'Aunt Evy.' And since you're my one and only niece, I need you to find something for me."

Miranda nodded her agreement, and Evy continued, "It is a basin. Alex knows what it looks like, he can help you. I'm afraid your uncle Rick misplaced it. But if anyone can find that, I have no doubt that you and Alex can. Will you do that for me?" Miranda nodded and Evy said with a smile, "Very good. Alex. . .it should be somewhere in the kitchen. I'll take care of Ardeth, I promise you. . .but he'll need that basin."

Alex took the little girl's hand and led her into the kitchen, both children shaken. Garai said softly, "Familiar with head injuries, Mrs. O'Connell?" Evy looked first at her brother, then at her husband, then shifted her eyes back to Garai. The Med-jai laughed, his eyes filled with amusement at her unspoken jab, and continued, "Yes, of course, I should have realized that myself. I apologize."

"You know whom she is, don't you? Celia?" Evy asked softly and Garai nodded. Evy continued, still in that low voice, "And Ardeth?" Again, Garai nodded. It was on the tip of Evy's tongue, to ask him if he would tell her. But, looking at the old Med-jai, she realized he would not. Instead, she continued softly, "I'll need some ice from the ice box for Ardeth's head. Get Rick to show you. . .he needs to be doing something right now."

Garai nodded his acceptance, and replied softly, "We will tell your brother as many times as it takes that he did what Ardeth asked of him. Our chieftain is neither dead nor a captive. Hanif. . .what is it?" Evy looked up at the young Med-jai, who had bounded upstairs from the basement. He didn't look angry or frustrated, the way she had seen Rick when he wasn't getting the answers he needed or wanted. . . rather, he looked scared. Evy felt herself tensing for whatever the young man had to say.

"Garai. . .I know why we only knew about the men with Jason Ferguson's associates. Because until his associates realized that we knew what was about to happen, those were the only ones!" Hanif said in Arabic. Either he had forgotten, or didn't care, that Evy could speak his language. Although, Evy wasn't terribly sure she was understanding him properly at the moment. The young man paused, then continued almost disjointedly, "The man downstairs, he is a vendor. When I asked him who had hired him to attack our chieftain. . ."

The young man stopped, taking several deep breaths, as if trying to marshal his thoughts. When he looked up again, he seemed calmer, but still upset. He explained, "Up until about five minutes before he attacked our chieftain, he was tending to his customers, and trying to find out what was going on. Then. . . something happened to him. He can't describe what. And he remembers what happened, but as if it was a dream. There's one other thing." The young man took another deep breath, a gulping breath which told them how fast he had been talking.

Evy and Garai waited patiently, and Hanif explained, "I asked him if he knew who had taken Celia Ferguson. He said a name. But Ardeth was right, it was not He Who Shall Not Be Named. It was another. Khaldun." Kh. . .oh God. Evy looked up at Garai, to see if he recognized the name. He did. His eyes narrowed. Tremors passed through his tall, powerful frame, and Hanif added as an afterthought, "Anatol is guarding him."

"Uh, guys. . .care to tell the rest of us what's going on?" Rick asked. Evy took a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain things. The trouble was, she wasn't entirely sure she could. According to the stories Nefertiri had heard toward the end of her life, Khaldun had not suffered the hom-dai, but he could be just as dangerous as Imhotep himself.

"Khaldun has risen once more. Once each lifetime, he rises once more, to take what he believes is rightfully his. This time, it's different, however. This time, he seeks to destroy the magic circle before it can be fully completed. He knows that the reincarnation of Rameses does not remember what has gone before, it is time for Rameses and Ardath to be reunited. He cannot allow this to happen," Garai answered.

"And Celia Ferguson is Lady Ardath reborn," Rick completed grimly. Evy nodded, realizing that was exactly what had happened. Rick said after a moment, "Right. So, what happens if he gets his hands on Celia and or Lady Ardath? The end of the world as we know it? Imhotep rises again? Maybe the Scorpion King?" Evy glared at her husband. This was no time to be making jokes! Celia needed them!

"It does not matter. . .he can no longer harm her, for she has already been reunited with Rameses. And he will not receive the opportunity to harm her," Garai added grimly. He looked at Evy, adding, "I failed her once, my princess. I will not fail her again. Hanif, get back downstairs. Find out what you can. Tell him. . .tell him that the young woman who was kidnapped today is the reincarnation of a Med-jai princess."

"But she isn't," Rick protested, "Lady Ardath was a royal concubine, not a Med-jai! Wait a minute. You just said that Rameses and Lady Ardath have already been reunited in this life time, or rather, their reincarnations have been." But Evy's mind was hurtling again. The reincarnation of Rameses does not remember what has gone before. . .does not remember his past life. And there was only one person she knew of, whom Celia had met, who fit that description.

"Oh my God," she whispered, her eyes sliding from Garai to the dark figure on the davenport, "It's Ardeth, isn't it? Ardeth is Rameses reborn!" Garai nodded, and the last pieces fell into place. All this time, she had thought Nefertiri's brother would have been reborn as Evy's brother. And he had. But family was not just forged by blood, something Evy had forgotten. Rameses had not been reborn as her brother by blood. . .but her brother by choice.

"Yes, but I must ask that you not tell him. He must remember on his own, when he is ready," Garai replied. He paused, then added with a mischievous grin, "Oh, and O'Connell? You are quite right. Lady Ardath was not a princess. But the man downstairs does not know that!" Evy laughed, both at Garai's words and Rick's expression. Now that was one sneaky Med-jai!

. . .

It played in his mind like a movie on the screen. The Med-jai enjoyed the movies. Enjoyed the dark, the anonymity. Enjoyed the escape for a time. But this was one movie none of them wanted to see. Watching Jason Ferguson put his hand on his sister, physically pulling her away when O'Connell had gone to Evelyn and Alex. Himself, striding forward, moving through the crowd as Celia fought her brother's grip.

And then her scream, "ARDETH! LOOK OUT!" Ardeth had spun in a circle, finding himself in a fight for his life as three men attacked him. For a brief, dizzying moment, Ardeth felt like he was back in the O'Connell home in London, fighting Lock-nah's men once again. He dispatched the first two with one swipe, then faced the third. . .until pain exploded through his head. He was only vaguely aware of himself falling, of screams around him. . .the only real things to him were the pain and the knowledge he had failed Celia Ferguson.

He had failed her, and as punishment for that failure, her face was the last thing Ardeth saw as he lost consciousness. He saw the cloth pressed against her nose and mouth, her hazel eyes rolling up in her head even as her eyelids started to close. He saw her body slumping against her captor. All of this he saw from the ground, through a curtain of dark hair which became solid. And in that blackness, he remained, seeing her face over and over again, until pain once more made itself known.

Pain, and voices. And cold. So cold. Ardeth followed that trail, fighting his pain all the way. He had failed Celia. He had sworn to protect her, had told her that no harm would come to her, and he had failed her. He had failed her, and now he had to make that right. To do that, he had to wake up. A gentle hand was caressing his hair, easing the pain at the same time, giving him something other than the pain to focus on. Celia had done that.

Celia. Pain once more lanced through him, only it wasn't through his head this time, but through his heart. He remembered her small but wiry body supporting his own, after he had startled her so badly and paid the price, her fingers kneading his shoulder through his tunic. Shielding him. . .protecting him, with her words, if not her body, and he had failed to protect her. He couldn't fail her a second time. And so, Ardeth pushed his way toward the pain, toward the hand, toward the voices, toward the cold. . .

To find himself lying on his back, the back of his neck and head supported by several pillows, as well as something very, very cold. He blinked his eyes, to find Evy sitting beside him. She smiled, saying softly, "Welcome back. . .we were starting to worry about you. Shhh, gentle, gentle." She wasn't talking to him, however, but to the owner of the hand on his hair. For the first time, it registered with Ardeth that the hand was rather small.

Evy held out her free hand, the one that wasn't resting on his arm, and Miranda Ferguson came into Ardeth's line of sight. Her face was tearstained, but she smiled for him. He whispered, "I am sorry, little one." Miranda frowned a little, confused, and looked at Evy. Ardeth added, cringing as any motion sent stabbing pains through his head, "I failed to protect your mother, I allowed her to be taken." And surprisingly, there was no censure in that small face. She had doubtlessly seen her mother kidnapped, but. . .

"But it wasn't your fault, Ardeth. . .you were hurt," Miranda replied, tracing one of the tattoos on his forehead. She smiled then, her finger sliding down his face to the tattoo on his right cheek. She smiled and said, "Besides. You'll get her back." Such simple faith in that statement. Ardeth tentatively reached one hand to her face, then carefully moved it back to his own, so that his hand covered hers.

There was only one appropriate answer to such faith, even in the presence of his failure. He whispered, "Yes, little one. . .I will get her back and bring her back to you. Evelyn. . .has any word come yet from Kaphiri?" She shook her head as a figure moved into Ardeth's line of sight. Garai. The older man settled down in front of Ardeth, putting one large hand on Miranda's small shoulder, his face filled with concern.

"No word has come back from Kaphiri as yet, but we know where they're heading. Jonathan helped us to capture the fourth man, the one who attacked you. It was mind control, but it is not He Who Shall Not Be Named," Garai answered. Ardeth closed his eyes briefly, rubbing his free hand over his temples. A fourth man. . .with mind control. Before or after Celia was snatched?

Before he could further work that out in his mind, a loud voice boomed through the room, "Well, good morning, Sunshine!" The volume sent fresh pangs of pain through his head, and this time, it was accompanied by nausea. Garai must have seen something, for he pulled Miranda away from Ardeth, at the same time Evy dove for something on the floor. Garai got there first, and Evelyn supported Ardeth as he rolled to his side.

"Rick, you made him sick, you can go get him a wet cloth for his face. Alex, take Miranda into the other room. . .she doesn't need to see this, and Ardeth doesn't need an audience," Evelyn snapped out as Ardeth lost what little he had eaten that day. Her voice gentled as she pulled Ardeth's hair back from his face, "Shhh, it's all right, Ardeth, I have you. Jonathan, cover him up with the blanket, he's shivering."

He was shivering and burning up at the same time, sick, his head was pounding, and he was utterly miserable. But at least only a few were around to see it, preserving what little remained of Ardeth's dignity. A half second later, he felt something warm covering him, and Jonathan said, "There you are, old chap. Better? Rick, do be silent, you're making him sick."

Though his words for his brother in law were harsh, Jonathan's voice was pitched low and gentle. Ardeth felt some of the coldness leave him, along with some of the tension. . .although perhaps some of that had to do with Evy's gentle hand on the back of his neck. Jonathan continued, addressing his next remarks to Garai, "Hanif said to tell you they're almost ready. Hanif convinced Anatol to remain downstairs. . .for now."

"Good. Mr. O'Connell, give the wash rag to your wife, then take care of this. Ardeth, are you seeing well?" Garai asked. Ardeth opened his eyes and focused on Garai. The other man smiled and said, "Good. Do you feel strong enough to travel? I have been discussing this with O'Connell, and we know which barge the kidnappers have taken. We can rescue her. . ."

Ardeth was already shaking his head. It hurt like hell, but he had to stop this before it started. He replied, "I can travel, but we cannot rescue her on the boat." His companions started to argue, but Ardeth continued, "NO! Have you forgotten the last time we attempted a recovery on a boat?" Again, his companions started to argue. . .and despite the raging pain in his head, Ardeth repeated, "NO! The last time we attempted a recovery on the Nile ended in disaster!"

He dropped his head once more, closing his eyes, and smiled faintly as Evy brushed the cloth gently over his face, saying, "But Ardeth. . .this time we're on your side." There was a silence, then she said, "But you're right, of course. We'll have a better chance of rescue on the docks or in the open desert. Just rest for now, we're still getting things organized, and you'll need all of your energy when we rescue Celia."

"We? What we?" O'Connell asked as he came back into the house with an empty basin. Ardeth just closed his eyes. As Celia would have said if she was here, here we go again. Celia. When did she say that? Oh yes, now he remembered. The day before yesterday, when O'Connell and Jonathan got into yet another one of their squabbles. O'Connell added, "I. . .I just meant that Evy isn't going with us."

"Oh yes, she is, Rick O'Connell, and don't even think about leaving me behind!" Evelyn hissed. O'Connell started to speak once more, and Ardeth was on the verge of opening his eyes to tell his old friend to put a cork in his mouth. However, Evelyn wasn't finished. She said, "I'm just as responsible for what happened to Celia as anyone. . .if I had handled things better with that vendor, then Celia wouldn't have been taken and Ardeth wouldn't have been hurt. Now hush. Start packing our bags. . .I need to see to Ardeth."

And that, as they said, was that. Ardeth opened his eyes wearily as O'Connell closed his mouth with a snap. Then he strode from the room, pausing just long enough to put his hand on Ardeth's shoulder, before he headed upstairs. Evelyn continued, looking at Garai, "Get what you need. If I remember, this will be a bit of a journey, and Ardeth can rest while you and the others are gathering information."

"And you'll take care of our chieftain. . .perhaps it's best if you show me where everything is. Your brother can take care of Ardeth, can he not?" Garai asked. Ardeth frowned, and then realized that Garai was looking past him, at Jonathan. Evelyn most likely realized the same, for she gave his hand a gentle pat, then led Garai into the kitchen. Jonathan circled around the back of the davenport to sit in front of Ardeth, and the chieftain realized there was unfinished business.

. . .

"Thank you, my friend."

Those words, despite his conversations with the Med-jai while they were awaiting Ardeth's return to consciousness, were the last things Jonathan Carnahan had expected to hear from Ardeth. Jonathan looked up as the other man gently touched his hand, and the Englishman reached forward, seeing Ardeth's grimace of pain. He eased him back against the cushions, saying softly, "If I'd done something else, done things better. . .I could have prevented you from being knocked unconscious at all."

"What else could you have done?" Ardeth asked very softly, his dark eyes filled with a wisdom far greater than his years or Jonathan's put together. Ardeth lay back, sighing, "There was nothing more you could have done, my friend. I am alive. I am still here. You did what I asked of you, you can ask no more of yourself. What else could you have done?" Jonathan had an answer for him, though.

"I could have trusted Garai to make sure Miranda was safe, and gone the second I saw that fourth man approach you. I could have yelled out a warning, like. . .like that poor girl did. I'm not like you, Ardeth, I'm not cut out for this hero business," Jonathan said, shaking his head. Ardeth closed his eyes, rubbing his fingers over his forehead. His face was very pale, and Jonathan asked a bit nervously, glancing around for the basin, "You don't feel sick, do you?"

"La. My head hurts," came the simple reply. There was another sigh, then Ardeth continued, "I am not a hero, Jonathan. I have never claimed to be. I am just a man, a man who has made many, many mistakes. I failed Celia. I promised her that I would allow no more harm to come to her. Now she has been kidnapped, because I failed to take all the players into account. I can only hope that mistake will not result in her death."

"How could you have known about the fourth man? Ardeth, old man, it's all well and good for you to look at every angle known to men, gods, and mummies. . .but this is not your fault! You had no way of knowing that this Khaldun fellow would exert his mind control over one of the other vendors and have that man attack you from behind!" Jonathan retorted. He was so intent on proving to his friend that he hadn't failed Celia, he totally missed that he had mentioned the unmentionable. . .Khaldun's name.

"Khaldun. . .did you say Khaldun?" Ardeth asked, truly sounding as if he was afraid he was hearing things. Jonathan hung his head, but nodded. Ardeth muttered something under his breath, half in Arabic and half in ancient Egyptian, then groaned. Jonathan looked up quickly to see that Ardeth was squeezing his eyes tightly. Jonathan grasped the hand still on his wrist, giving Ardeth a lifeline of sorts.

"I'm sorry, old chap. . .I didn't mean to spring this on you like that. But yes. Garai thinks he's back to keep Lady Ardath's reincarnation from finding Rameses. I don't entirely understand why it's so important to keep them apart, but there you are," Jonathan replied. He had mentioned the unmentionable, but he hadn't told Ardeth the full truth. He hadn't told him that he was Rameses reborn. However, that didn't mean he couldn't tell him the other part of this. . .

"Rameses made a promise as he killed Khaldun, according to our records. He told Khaldun that he knew he was no longer worthy of his concubine or their child, but when he was redeemed, he and Lady Ardath would reunite. They were always stronger together than when they were separate, always stronger and more complete. Khaldun is afraid of them. Did Garai tell you who Khaldun was?" Ardeth asked, opening his eyes.

"A cousin of Rameses, so the story goes. Evy did a little research when she started having more of her dreams. Khaldun poisoned the wine at a celebration for the birth of Rameses and Lady Ardath's son. . .but instead of the intended victim, Rameses, Lady Ardath died. . .in his arms. Rameses went mad with grief and tortured Khaldun to death after the fool mocked him for the death of his concubine," Jonathan related the story.

"Aywa. What I do not understand is why they would kidnap Celia, in order to prevent this reunion between Rameses and Ardath. Especially since Khaldun's minion told Jason Ferguson that they would use me as ransom, to get Hamunaptra. . .unless that was just a smokescreen. Jonathan? Do we know the identity of Lady Ardath in this lifetime?" the chieftain asked. Oh, wonderful. . .just wonderful!

However, he couldn't lie to Ardeth. . .that was simply not possible. Instead, Jonathan said quietly, "It's Celia Ferguson, Ardeth. Garai and Evy both recognized her. Garai told me that he was Sennefer, Ardath's Med-jai during that lifetime." The chieftain went very pale as soon as Celia's past was mentioned, though Jonathan had a hard time believing that was even possible. What was worse was, he knew the rest of it. How Rameses swore that he would love Ardath through all the lifetimes to come. . .and Ardeth didn't remember being Rameses.

"Celia. She was Lady Ardath. And now they have her. Jonathan. . .we cannot allow them to reach Hamunaptra, or Thebes. Do you understand me? Hamunaptra is where Rameses took Khaldun when he learned the truth about the murder of his beloved. . .that is where he tortured and killed him. Khaldun. . .he needs a host body, if he has not been reborn, or if he has been killed already in this life," Ardeth said urgently.

Jonathan was missing something. Ardeth groaned again, covering his eyes with one hand, and muttered in a combination of Arabic and ancient Egyptian once more. After a moment, he removed his hand and looked at Jonathan with wide, pleading eyes, saying, "Listen to me. This is very important. If Khaldun receives his host body, then he will take revenge on Rameses by harming Lady Ardath. . .Celia."

It took a moment for Ardeth's meaning to penetrate Jonathan's brain. Take revenge. Take her. Jonathan looked back at Ardeth, and the chieftain slowly nodded. Carnahan thought very briefly if this was world-shattering, like Imhotep rising, but Ardeth wasn't finished. He went on, "Once Khaldun fulfills that part of his revenge. . .a young woman's life will be shattered and the rest of the world will follow. Each time he causes more pain, he will grow stronger."

Now this was starting to sound familiar, and different at the same time. Ardeth had pushed himself onto his side, his dark eyes burning with fear and rage, and guilt. He collapsed back against the back of the davenport, continuing, "This. . .thing that he joined with. . .it feeds on pain. Celia's pain. The pain of everyone who cares for her. Do you understand what I am saying. The Creature. . .the Med-jai helped to make him, and that is why we perform our task. But he was a man once, a good man who went bad. Khaldun was someone altogether different. He opened his soul, gladly, to this spirit. The Creature did evil in the name of love. Khaldun did evil out of hate. Do you see?"

"So," Jonathan said, his voice unsteady, "we aren't just fighting Khaldun. . .but this spirit as well? And just the fact that a nice girl with a little daughter will be raped if we don't get to her in time is reason enough to stop this thing?" Ardeth nodded wearily and Jonathan said, "All right then. You get some rest. Celia will need you to be strong." Because, old chum, Khaldun is only one of our worries right now.

But Ardeth wasn't finished. He said softly, "She has already been violated once,
Jonathan. By that pitiful excuse for a man, the one who pretended to wed her. I'll not allow her to be violated again." Despite the pain Jonathan knew he had to be feeling, determination radiated from the dark eyes. And Jonathan felt his breath freeze in his throat, because he knew without any doubt that Ardeth Bey would rescue Celia before Khaldun or her brother had a chance to harm her. Or he would die trying.

. . .

"You're not going." The words were spoke flatly, without any emotion, but the blue eyes which were in the same body as the mouth were anything but emotionless. They were flashing with rage. Not that the second person in the room was paying much attention. There were too many things to be done, and too little time in which to do them.

"I am, Richard O'Connell. You will need me! Celia will need me, and I'm not about to let her down," Evy retorted, throwing her clothes into her bag determinedly. A part of her brain ruefully observed that it was a complete turnaround of one of their earlier fights. Only then, he had been trying to pack for her and get her out of Egypt, after Imhotep's first rising, as she was equally determined to stay. Garai had their supplies together, now she had to pack.

"Honey, listen. . .the fewer people involved, the better chance we'll have of rescuing her. You don't want Ardeth worrying about you, do you? And you know he will," Rick said, stopping what he was doing to put his hands on her shoulders. Evy gritted her teeth. Oh, this was an all-new low for him. . .using Ardeth! She glowered up at him, trembling with frustration and worry. Over the last week, the bonds forged in their letters between Celia and Evy had only strengthened. The truth was, Celia was Evy's only female friend.

And if he wanted to use Ardeth as a pawn piece. . .by all means, she could do the same! Evy answered defiantly, "Someone has to go along to take care of Ardeth. He will get all caught up in trying to make sure they get all the information they need about the men who have Celia, and he'll forget to take care of himself. And you men won't bother to do it, so he'll push himself and push himself until he collapses. . .and then he'll be no good to Celia at all."

Ha! A point in her favor. She could see from Rick's face that he knew she was right. Evy cupped his face in her hands, saying softly, "Rick, I will stay out of the way when you and Ardeth rescue Celia. I will stay at a base camp you set up. But I have to go. I owe it to Ardeth, and I owe it to Celia. Rick. . .I just found out that man is the reincarnation of my brother. I did not do a very good job of taking care of him in our previous lifetime. I want to be a better sister to him this time around." Rick looked away from her for a moment.

Evy was having none of that, and forced him to look at her. Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell was never a woman who ran and hid from the consequences of her actions, and she wouldn't start now. Rick sighed, "I just don't want lose you again. Either of you. Any of you. Everything is happening so damn fast, just like always. It's only been a few months, Evy. I almost lost everyone I love just a few months ago, and now it's at risk again."

The Englishwoman removed her hands from her husband's face and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his face down until their lips were almost touching. She said very quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I swear to you, on both the Book of the Living and the Dead, that I will not put myself in harms way. I will not take any chances with my life. But I must see this through, Rick! So many times, you've told Ardeth 'leave us out of this,' even when we were already in it. No more running, Rick. We cannot change whom we are. . .what we are."

She looked deep into Rick's eyes, willing him to understand. Her husband sighed, dropping his head onto her shoulder, and whispered, "Everything is happening too fast, Evy. I just remembered which Med-jai I was, all those years ago. Everything that happened. And now I find out that Ardeth Bey, one of the strongest, most levelheaded men I've ever known, was a homicidal maniac. That's hell getting used to, and I don't know if I can!" Evy smiled ruefully, kissing the side of his neck.

"But that's just it, honey. You aren't Terumun. . .you're his reincarnation. I'm not Nefertiri. There was almost no interaction between her and Lady Ardath. . .but you've seen that change in this life. And Ardeth isn't Rameses. He's stronger and smarter, wiser and even more noble. He's a much better man than Rameses is, because he's had to be. Do you really think Rameses would have let us live after raising Imhotep the first time?" she asked softly.

That won her a laugh, as they both knew Rameses would have killed them both before Imhotep was even raised. Maybe Ardeth should have done just that, but Evy had always been grateful that he had not. Not just for herself and Rick, for Jonathan. . .but also for Alex, who would have grown up without parents if she and Rick had died before they even returned to England to claim him. And for Ardeth himself, who already had too much guilt to carry. And with that knowledge, insight exploded through her soul.

Dear heaven. That was why he didn't remember, why his memories had been denied to him so far! Ardeth had managed to find a balance between his duty as the Med-jai leader and the demands of being a human being. . .but if he remembered, right now, about being Rameses, that balance would be tipped. Now, more than ever, Evy knew that Ardeth needed them all. With that in mind, she said softly, "Ardeth is still my brother, Rick, just in a different way. I must stand at my brother's side. . .and I want you there with me."

Rick pulled back to look at her, his blue eyes intent on her face. For a long moment, he didn't say anything, and Evy was afraid she had lost. Then he smiled at her, the same smile which had made such a dent in her heart all those years ago. He whispered, "All right, baby. God knows, I care about the jerk, though sometimes I can't figure out why." Evy swatted him, though she knew he didn't really mean it.

"You care about him, Richard, because he is the best friend you've ever had. He has always been there when you needed him, no matter how hard you pushed him away. And I happen to know he means as much to you as he does to me, to Alex, and to Jonathan. So none of that American tough-guy act, because it's not necessary and it doesn't impress me," Evy said determinedly. She didn't ask that he ever acknowledge these things to Ardeth. . .she knew how men were about such things. . .but he could not run from her.

"What do you want me to do, Evy, say I love the guy?" Rick asked with mock-exasperation. Evy just glared at him. . .and Rick sighed, "Okay. He is my best friend. He is the brother I never had and always wanted. Do you want me to say anything more, or can I stop before I make myself sick?" Evy responded by kissing him, silently glad that neither Jonathan nor Alex were around.

"You don't have to say the words out loud. . .just to yourself," she whispered once she broke the kiss. She gazed at him for several moments, then added, "I'll say those words for both of us. I love Ardeth Bey very much. . .he is a member of our family. And he needs us. So. . .if you're quite finished ravishing me. . .I need to finish packing." Rick's eyebrows arched at the 'ravishing' part. . .and as she hoped, he decided to take her up on her offer.

"Well," he murmured, lowering her to the bed and nudging the suitcase out of the way, "you know we won't be leaving for a while. Gotta get all the supplies together. . .Anatol went to find Kaphiri, since he can't beat up the guy who hit Ardeth. Figure we have some free time." Evy made an inquiring sound in the back of her throat as Rick kissed her. As she had told him before the bottom fell out of their worlds. . .he really could make her feel like agreeing to anything when he kissed her. Especially like that!

And like always. . .it didn't last. There was a knock at the door, and through the heavy wood, Evy heard, "Aunt Evy? Aunt Evy?" Evy and Rick looked at each other, and groaned in unison. But Rick released his wife, bending to pick up the suitcase, while Evy went to the bedroom door, to find a very frightened-looking Miranda there. The little girl practically threw herself into Evy's arms, and the Englishwoman silently cursed herself for not thinking about how terrified Miranda must be.

She held the little girl tightly, whispering, "It's all right, little love. . .come. Let's go get your things packed, and a few of your mum's things, too. She'll be very dirty and in need of some fresh clothes when we find her, so let's make sure she has everything she needs. Alex, help your father if you please. Is your Uncle Jon still downstairs with Ardeth?" Her son nodded, looking worried. Evy started to head to Celia's room, but put her hand on Alex's shoulder, adding, softly, "Don't be afraid, Alex. We won't let anyone hurt Celia."

The little boy managed to summon a smile, and Evy smiled back at him, then took Miranda into the room she shared with her mother. Miranda whispered, "I'm scared, Aunt Evy. Uncle Jason scares me, and he helped those bad men take Mommy. Why would he do that, Aunt Evy? Mommy's his big sister, he's not supposed to hurt her!" Evy sat down on the bed with the little girl, gently kissing the top of her head.

"I don't know, angel. But I do know one thing. When your uncle did that, he made Ardeth very, very angry. And because of that, Ardeth will make sure that we get your mum back, safe and sound. I promise you this. And 'Randa? When we get things packed for you and your mum, do you think you can do me a favor?" Evy asked, wiping away the little girl's tears. Miranda nodded, and Evy continued, "Could you go downstairs, and tell Ardeth that this isn't his fault? He can be very silly sometimes about blaming himself. . .and now is one of those times."

The little girl nodded, adding earnestly, "I like Ardeth, Aunt Evy. He's pretty, and he makes me feel safe." Evy smiled at that, giving the little girl another hug. She thought back on everything that had happened during the last week. She knew that her two friends were the reincarnations of Rameses and Ardath. She had seen the beginnings of an attraction between them, long before she learned the truth about them. She had to have faith that their story would have a different, happier ending in this lifetime. She had to believe that.

. . .

She was floating in a place without pain. . .a pool of air. Ever so often, she would float to the top of the pool of air, to hear voices. A few she recognized, but others she could not. If she concentrated really and truly hard, she could make out words, ". . .will remain sedated for the duration. For everyone's sake, Mr. Ferguson." Ferguson. That was her last name. . .wasn't it? Who was she? Was she Celia Ferguson, or was she Lady Ardath?

She thought she was Celia, but she couldn't be sure. Yes. She was Celia. . . and Jason had betrayed her. A dull pain echoed through her heart as she dimly remembered the events in the bazaar. And seeing Ardeth collapse after being struck from behind, as if he was a puppet whose strings had been cut. Jason had betrayed her and aided in her kidnapping. Was Miranda safe?

A voice whispered, "Your daughter is safe, child, and soon enough, you will be too. Rest, dear girl. . .you will have need of your strength." Celia floated back into the pool of air, this pool of oblivion. There was no pain here, save the pain in her heart from her brother's betrayal and her fear. Not just for her daughter, but for Ardeth Bey as well. She had grown to like him very much over the last few days.

"Yes, sweet girl. . .think about Ardeth. He is a very good man, isn't he?" the voice crooned, and Celia could have sworn someone was stroking her hair. The voice sounded like her grandmother's voice. The voice laughed gently and said, "Of course it's me, silly girl. Didn't I tell you that I would always be here with you? That I would never leave you? I am here now, Cecelia, and will be until Ardeth comes for you."

Ardeth will come for me? Of course he will. . .how foolish of her to think he would do anything else! He had sworn to her that he would protect her. . .only the cowardly attack had prevented him from honoring that vow. That would make him angry. One thing Celia had learned about Ardeth. . .he took it very hard when something kept him from honoring his word. When he couldn't keep his promise.

Celia took comfort from that. It was so strange. . .this knowledge that there was a man she could rely upon. Celia hadn't relied upon any man since her grandfather died. It made her a little uneasy. . .what if Ardeth died? Just when she learned to truly trust him, in a way she had never trusted any man. . .not even Leslie Carstairs. Ardeth would never willingly break a promise he had made. . .but he was only flesh and blood. There were some promises which could not be kept. He was mortal . . . he could die.

She didn't like to think about Ardeth dying. He was a good man. . .such a good man. Was it any wonder that she felt drawn to him? He was one of the best, most honorable men she had ever met. He made her daughter feel safe. . .he made Celia feel safe. And he was beautiful. He was so beautiful. She didn't usually allow herself to notice men's looks, since looks were deceiving, but he was so. . .he was Med-jai. He was Ardeth. And the tattoos which adorned his forehead and high cheekbones only enhanced his beauty.

Rick O'Connell had asked her if she was attracted to Ardeth. What a silly question. Of course she was. Celia smiled dimly, remembering something which had happened on her third full day in Egypt. She and Evy had been taking a break from their own work, and Evy suggested that she take some refreshment out to the men. The two children were both napping (against Alex's will, though Miranda was so worn out from her lessons with Anatol, she didn't protest much).

The men were wrestling. . .being men. She liked to watch them, though, liked to watch the honesty that was inherent in the Med-jai. Ardeth was leaning against the side of the house, calling out things in Arabic. The tone of his voice and his laughter told her that he was probably teasing his men, including the old man who looked at her so strangely. The young chieftain looked up and saw her approaching with the plate of drinks. . .and he smiled at her. For Celia, it was like someone had zapped with a freeze ray from Buck Rogers or something. Fortunately, Rick came along right then and rescued the drinks before she dropped them.

The match broke up and Celia had just stared at Ardeth, who smiled at her once last time before heading over to get his own glass of. . .what was it? Tea? She couldn't remember. Evy had come out onto the patio and slipped her arm around Celia's waist, asking her if everything was all right. Celia had turned to her with what Evy later described as a goofy smile, and replied, "He smiled at me. Ardeth smiled at me."

Evy had smiled then, saying, "Ahhh. . .so that's it. You've been hit with one of those devastating smiles of his. That would leave any woman with addled wits. Come along, you, we have work to do." Still with her arm around Celia's waist, Evy had led her back inside. . .and a good thing. Celia probably would have spent the rest of the day, totally stunned by the power of Ardeth Bey's smile. Especially when it was directed at her.

Yes, of course she was attracted to Ardeth. O'Connell really was a foolish man. But just because she was attracted to him. . .it didn't mean he was attracted to her. Well, O'Connell said Ardeth was attracted to her, but she had just decided that O'Connell was a silly, foolish man, so she wasn't terribly sure if she could trust him. Especially where Ardeth was concerned. Celia was more willing to listen to Evy's thoughts on the subject.

Evy was a woman. . .she paid attention to these things. And Celia knew how much her friend cared for the tall, handsome warrior. According to that Med-jai who kept staring at her, Evy had saved Ardeth's life once. Celia thought about the Med-jai who kept staring at her. He seemed so familiar to her, but she couldn't remember seeing him in any of her dreams. . .visions or whatever they were. Memories, according to Evy.

And as if by magic, one of those dreams. . .visions. . .memories. . .floated into her mind. Her grandmother whispered, "Watch and learn, my darling child." Celia directed her full attention to the scene below her, looking in the direction which her grandmother had indicated to her. She saw the young girl from before, the one whom Anck had called 'Ardath,' as well as Anck herself. Only this time, for reasons which Celia didn't fully understand. . .the young American saw a bright string extending from her own chest and finding its end in Ardath's chest.

"That is what connects you to her. . .and to hundreds of other girls through the centuries. It is your spirit. Evy O'Connell was right. . .you are the reincarnation of Lady Ardath. And this is why you have been taken, my darling girl. Those fools thought they were making things easier on themselves by sedating you to the point of unconsciousness, but they have only strengthened you. Because of that sedation, I can reach you. . .and show you the truth," Grandmother said.

Celia shivered, feeling the truth in her grandmother's words as the walls around her heart and memory crumbled. She looked at her grandmother, not really surprised to have the old woman by her side. Annabelle continued, "Imhotep triggered Evy's memories as well, when he called the soul of Anck-su-namun back from the Underworld. Your unconscious state achieves the same goal, but unlike that poor foolish Meela, you will not be displaced within your own body. Watch, my dearest child. Watch, so you can be strong. Do not fight what you see, for there will be the source of your greatest strength."

Celia watched as Anck and Ardath made their way through a sunlit corridor, laughing and making plans. She watched as Anck glared at anyone who even looked at her friend wrong, and couldn't help smiling at Anck's fierce protectiveness of her friend. These two girls loved one another, and Celia felt an ache of a familiar loneliness well up. She could see Ardath's face very clearly now. . .it was like seeing a fifteen year old version of herself.

She truly had been Lady Ardath, a woman who had seemed like something out of an old myth or legend. But this young girl was flesh and blood, with a best friend who dearly loved her. And, Celia discovered rather quickly, a temper all her own. A cry of pain drew Ardath's attention, and Celia herself inhaled sharply at the sight which met Ardath's eyes. A small boy, no more than five or six, cowering away from a man.

Ardath darted away from Anck, her face tightening with fury, and Anck cried out, "Ardath! Niy! Niy!" Celia had never heard ancient Egyptian spoken, but she knew instinctively that Anck was trying to dissuade her friend. Anck gasped loudly when Ardath shoved the man away from the boy forcibly, then bent down to scoop the child protectively into her arms. She had her back to him, her attention only on the child.

Celia saw, though Ardath did not, the fury which crossed the man's face. He drew back his hand to strike the girl. . .and found the hand caught in mid-swing. Celia had instinctively flinched, and when she did that, she found herself seeing through Ardath's eyes. Feeling what Ardath felt. The fury. . .the fear. . .the anticipation of the blow, for daring to stop a royal prince from having his entertainment.

The blow, of course, never landed. A hauntingly familiar voice growled, "What is this? You attack children now, cousin? And what did these two do, to warrant a beating?" Ardath tightened her arms around the child, now whimpering, only vaguely hearing Anck's staunch defense of her. And as she did, the frightened young girl caught a name. Two names, actually. Khaldun. . .the man who had attempted to strike the boy. And Rameses, who had stopped the man. Who had stopped his cousin from harming either the boy or the young girl.

A woman cried out something which neither Ardath nor Celia could quite make out, and the boy pulled himself from Ardath's arms. He ran to his mother, and a gentle hand came to rest on Ardath's shoulder. A half second after that, a hand presented itself to her, and that hauntingly familiar voice now said, "Might I help you to your feet, my Lady? You just protected a Med-jai child, and I know for a fact that such a thing will earn their eternal loyalty."

Shyly, the girl placed her hand in the large hand in front of her, and Prince Rameses closed his fingers around her own. He gently turned her around. Ardath followed the hand all the way up the arm, across the shoulder, to the prince's face. Once she beheld the prince. . .Celia softly gasped, across three millennia. Because she found the familiar dark eyes and just as familiar features of Ardeth Bey staring back at her.

With that particular surprise waiting for her, Celia almost forgot to breathe. Although exactly she was so surprised, she didn't know. She should have seen this coming. But. . .

Ardeth? Ardeth was Prince Rameses reborn? And she was Lady Ardath? Celia's mind raced, trying to put the pieces together in a way that made some semblance of sense. Her grandmother said gently, "Yes, my dear girl. You are the reincarnation of Ardath, and Ardeth Bey is the reincarnation of Rameses. This lifetime marks the first time in three millennia that Rameses has permitted Ardath to be in his life."

Three thousand years? Why? Her grandmother continued, now sounding almost reluctant, "You know, of course, that Lady Ardath was murdered when she was but twenty years old?" Celia nodded. . .yes, Evy had told her that. Annabelle continued, still sounding very reluctant, "After Ardath was murdered, Rameses fell into despair. He was totally grief-stricken, to the point of being unable to look at his own child, the son Ardath had borne him only a week before her own death."

Celia nodded, being able to understand that. Her grandmother added, "And then, one of the Med-jai overheard Khaldun, the prince's cousin, bragging about what he had done. This Med-jai, Shakir Bey, was the protector for the pharaoh's favorite concubine, Anck-su-namun, and he went immediately to Rameses. He told him what he had heard and Rameses had his most trusted friends. . .Terumun, Imhotep, and Nassor. . .abduct Khaldun and take him to Hamunaptra."

The City of the Dead. Annabelle confirmed, "Yes, the city of the dead. There, Terumun and Imhotep stood guard with Imhotep's priests, just as a precaution, while Rameses interrogated Khaldun. The interrogation turned ugly, however, when Khaldun boasted of killing Lady Ardath and mocked his cousin's grief. The prince's grief and despair turned to rage. This little man was bragging about killing the woman Rameses had loved, the mother of his child."

Celia could see what was coming, as soon as her grandmother told her that the interrogation had turned ugly. And she began to understand why Rameses had shut out Ardath, these last three thousand years. Which meant she had a lot of work to do. Her grandmother acknowledged, "Rameses tortured Khaldun to death, then with Imhotep's aid, bound Khaldun's soul to Hamunaptra. It was a forerunner to what the Med-jai would do just five years later, when Anck-su-namun and Imhotep would kill Seti and Imhotep's attempt to resurrect Anck-su-namun. Khaldun swore that it wouldn't end with him, and he would start with Imhotep."

Annabelle paused, then continued, "With his cousin's blood on his hands, and with Khaldun murdered in such a brutal manner, Rameses no longer felt worthy of raising the child he had created with Ardath. And so, as thanks for finding the truth about his beloved's murder, Rameses gave his son to Shakir Bey, who was newly married. He was one of the few Med-jai whom Rameses could trust, since he never forgave them for allowing Ardath to die. It wasn't their fault, of course. . .but a man ravaged by grief is rarely rational."

Rarely? Make that never! And then, something occurred to Celia, which took her breath away. Did her grandmother say Shakir Bey? As in. . .? Annabelle explained, "Yes. Ardeth comes from the line of Shakir Bey. Hamadi Bey, the Med-jai captain who later invoked the hom-dai against Imhotep, died without children, so that part of the family died out. Hamadi lost his own life, for daring to punish Imhotep without the permission of the new pharaoh after Seti's murder."

Celia knew that had taken place at Hamunaptra. . .the cursing of Imhotep. Hamunaptra. Everything seemed to lead right back to Hamunaptra. Where Khaldun had been tortured to death, and where Imhotep had been cursed by the hom-dai. Annabelle said, "Everything leads back to Hamunaptra, and to Lady Ardath's murder. For it was her murder which started the destruction of Anck-su-namun's soul, as well as the soul of Rameses."

Why? Why were Ardath's murder and Hamunaptra the linch pins for this entire thing? Her grandmother laughed unexpectedly and replied, "Because, my darling girl, they are opposites. To Rameses, Ardath was life. And Hamunaptra was death. I'm sure you'll recall, my sweet, what 'Ardath' means. A field of flowers. . . and what is more life affirming than new flowers blossoming in the spring?"

So. . .all this time, Rameses had been rejecting life, because he felt he was not worthy of it. Rejecting life and love. Annabelle told her, "Just so. The gods finally tired of it, and wiped his memories clean. Which means, my darling girl, that you must be very careful. Ardeth struggles with a balance, between his soul as a human being and the things he must do to protect humanity, by guarding Hamunaptra."

Celia had to be careful? What, so she couldn't tell Ardeth the truth? She could do that. . .she could keep that from him. But that wasn't what her grandmother meant at all. Annabelle explained, "No, my love. You are the only person who can trigger those memories. But you must be very careful how you do it. Rameses' guilt at what he became. . .it is still strong after three thousand years."

Oh. . .swell! Annabelle chastised gently, "You can do this, Cecelia. If you are willing to fight for Ardeth. Love has more than one facet. It is not just the tenderness of holding someone and making love." Celia felt herself blushing, and Annabelle went on, "Oh for heaven's sake, Cecelia! We're both grown women. All right, maybe I should have discussed sex with you before I died. But darling. . .the point I'm trying to make is, sometimes, you must fight for and with, the one you love."

Love? Whoa! When did love enter into this picture? Celia had only just admitted that she was attracted to Ardeth, but attraction wasn't the same thing as love! Her grandmother merely laughed and replied, "But love will come in its own time, my darling girl. You already know that Ardeth Bey is a man you can trust. With your body. . .with your heart. . .with your daughter. And love follows trust."

True enough. And here in this. . .place, love didn't frighten Celia as much as it did on the outside. Annabelle explained, "That's because you're safe here, and you know it. Just as you are safe with Ardeth. Once you are safe and secure with yourself, it becomes that much easier to reach out to Ardeth. You have been reaching out to him, and I am very proud of you for that. But you, as you have said, have much work to do."

Celia looked down at Rameses and Ardath, who were seemingly unaware of everyone else around them. She had seen that expression in Evy and Rick's faces many times.

Celia also saw the wonder in Anck's eyes, as she beheld the expression on her friend's face, and realized the meaning of it. If Rameses chose Ardath as his concubine, then her immediate future was assured. There was a spark between them that even cynical Anck-su-namun couldn't ignore. And Anck was just ruthless enough to make sure that nothing came between Rameses and Ardath, if it meant her forever friend's happiness. Forever friend? Where did I get that?

"That is what they called each other. Anck swore that she would always take care of Ardath, back when they first met, and Ardath told her, 'then you are my forever friend.' I believe that little Scottish girl was the first person Anck ever loved," Annabelle observed. Scottish? Celia looked at her grandmother, who said again, "Scottish. Her father was a Pict and her mother was Irish. When her father chose to marry her mother, when Ardath. . .or Eavan. . .was three, he was cast out. And they eventually ended up in Egypt, where they died. . .and Ardath was given her new name by the Hebrew slaves."

Scottish. Just like Celia. This new connection made Celia shiver. Then her grandmother added knowingly, "And there is another connection, dear child. Remember what I told you about Shakir Bey." Rameses had given his son to Shakir Bey to raise after Ardath's murder. . .and Ardeth Bey came from that line. Celia's mind zipped ahead, to a question, a question which her grandmother answered, "Yes, my love. . .Ardeth Bey is descended from Rameses and Ardath."